1885 Success demands courage and passion. These qualities were demonstrated by Wilhelm Schimmel, the founder of our company. Shortly after the completion of his training as a piano manufacturer, he established his own workshop in Leipzig and produced his first piano the beginning of 1885. His instruments were impressive for their advanced technique, excellent tone and contemporary form. Both he and his slogan ‘Quality will prevail’ were proved right by his success.

Wilhelm Schimmel 1885 - 1927

1927 his son Wilhelm Arno Schimmel took over the management of the company and relocated the site to Braunschweig (Brunswick) where he developed one of the major innovations of the 1930s: a small piano without backposts with a newly designed action and a unique tonal character. The family firm continued to flourish: by the end of the 1950s, Schimmel instruments were the most frequently purchased pianos produced in Germany and were sent all round the world.

Wilhelm A. Schimmel1927 - 1961

1961 Nikolaus Wilhelm Schimmel became head of the company and focused on the continuity of the firm’s expansion in the third generation. Increasing sales volume necessitated the construction of a new company site. Schimmel became the bestselling German piano, which is still true today. The glass grand piano, invented in 1951, is now becoming a cult object. Special areas such as research and development were extended and intensified. Alongside the Schimmel Classic line, the company developed the Schimmel Konzert line over a period of approx. 20 years, thereby consolidating the company’s leading position in the market.

Nikolaus W. Schimmel1961 - 2003

2003 Nikolaus Wilhelm Schimmel passed on the management of the company to his son in law Hannes Schimmel-Vogel. In adherence to the founding slogan ‘Quality will prevail’, he completed the product spectrum with additional models in the Konzert Line and the conceptual design of a wide-ranging, extended Schimmel brand family. In the 21st century Schimmel became the most highly awarded German piano – not only for sound and touch, but also for their timeless and tasteful casework designs. This courage in innovation and the passion for piano manufacture will also characterize the future development of the family firm and guarantee the excellent quality of our grand and upright pianos.